“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, `These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. “Because you say, `I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’– and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked–“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Rev 3:14-20 NKJ)

The final church is Laodicea, self-righteous, self-sufficient and selfish. They had need of nothing, not even God. Their praise of their own achievements was so loud that they couldn’t hear the knocking on the door as the bridegroom came to court the bride.

If only they had asked the Lord and been listening to the Spirit, they would have realized that they are making God sick. Sick not because they were godless, but sick because they were misrepresenting the Church by being lukewarm. Jesus’ words—repent, change your ways and get on fire for God. Let him refine you and open that door and allow him to come in.

Going Deeper….

To promise “by one’s truth.” Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal, the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed (Deut. 28:30; Judg. 14:2, 8; Matt. 1:18-21). The term is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God and his people (Hos. 2:19, 20).

Betrothal in Bible times required the man to call on the girls family along with his father. The potential suitor would knock at the door. If the girl and her family were interested, then they would open the door, and the two families would sit down and share a meal. The young man would give the young woman either a gold ring, or some article of value, or a document in which he promised to marry her. Then he would say to her: “See by this ring [or this token] thou art set apart for me, according to the law of Moses and of Israel.” The difference between betrothal and marriage. The betrothal was not the same as the wedding. At least a whole year elapsed between the betrothal and the actual wedding. The wedding was more about consummation than anything else.